Academic Senate for Academic Senate for California Community California Community

CollegesColleges

Vocational Education Leadership Vocational Education Leadership InstituteInstitute

Navigating the Tides of Change: Navigating the Tides of Change: Occupational Education Occupational Education

Leadership Now Leadership Now

March 7, 2008March 7, 2008

The Seascape ResortThe Seascape Resort

Aptos, CAAptos, CA

Why Can’t We Why Can’t We ALL ALL

JUST GET ALONG?JUST GET ALONG?

Leading Our Millennial Students Leading Our Millennial Students in in

Vocational ProgramsVocational Programs

Who We Are:Who We Are:

Presenters:Presenters:James ForkumJames Forkum

Dean and Athletic Director: Santa Rosa Junior Dean and Athletic Director: Santa Rosa Junior CollegeCollege

Sherry ForkumSherry ForkumDirector of Writing & English Professor: William Director of Writing & English Professor: William

Jessup UniversityJessup UniversityPrincipal Consultants: Advanced Knowledge Principal Consultants: Advanced Knowledge

ConsultingConsultinggendiff.comgendiff.com

Presentation AgendaPresentation Agenda

I.I. IntroductionIntroduction

II.II. Review the GenerationsReview the Generations

III.III. MillennialsMillennials

IV.IV. Practical ApplicationsPractical Applications

V.V. SummarySummary

VI.VI. Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

OutcomesOutcomes

Understanding of the Generational Divide and Understanding of the Generational Divide and Importance in the Two-Year College Importance in the Two-Year College EnvironmentEnvironment

Understanding the New Generation of StudentsUnderstanding the New Generation of Students

Knowledge of Millennial Characteristics Knowledge of Millennial Characteristics (Technology)(Technology)

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

4” in the Junior College Vocational/Academic Setting4” in the Junior College Vocational/Academic Setting

Know to Them to Understand Them by Knowing Know to Them to Understand Them by Knowing OurselvesOurselves

Recruitment, Team-Building, Change, Motivation, Recruitment, Team-Building, Change, Motivation, and Maintaining/Increasing Productivityand Maintaining/Increasing Productivity

RetentionRetention

GENERATIONAL YEARSGENERATIONAL YEARS G. I. Generation – 1901-1924 (ages 84-107)G. I. Generation – 1901-1924 (ages 84-107)

Silent Generation – 1925-1942 (ages 66-83)Silent Generation – 1925-1942 (ages 66-83)

Boomers – 1943-1960 (ages 48-65)Boomers – 1943-1960 (ages 48-65)

Generation X – 1961-1981 (ages 27-47)Generation X – 1961-1981 (ages 27-47)

Millennials – 1982-2002 (ages 6-26)Millennials – 1982-2002 (ages 6-26)

Homeland – 2003 - (Ages 5 and under)Homeland – 2003 - (Ages 5 and under)

GENERATIONAL GENERATIONAL COMPARISONSCOMPARISONSSILENTSILENT BOOMERBOOMER GEN XGEN X MILLENNIALMILLENNIAL

SizeSize 52 Million52 Million 78 Million78 Million 70.2 Million70.2 Million 78-100 Million78-100 Million

Other NamesOther Names Consciousness Consciousness GenerationGeneration

Me GenerationMe Generation

Modern “Lost” Modern “Lost” GenerationGeneration

Slacker GenerationSlacker Generation

Generation YGeneration Y

Echo BoomEcho Boom

Generation NextGeneration Next

HeroesHeroes GI GenerationGI Generation ThemselvesThemselves Anti-HeroesAnti-Heroes ParentsParents

Family LifeFamily Life Earliest marrying and Earliest marrying and babying generation babying generation

Silent women divorces Silent women divorces in record numbersin record numbers

Large numbers of Large numbers of women in the women in the

workforce later in the workforce later in the generational cyclegenerational cycle

Religious and/or Religious and/or spiritually orientedspiritually oriented

Health orientedHealth oriented

Waiting until later in Waiting until later in life to have childrenlife to have children

Have become Have become “helicopter” parents“helicopter” parents

Adult oriented from an Adult oriented from an early ageearly age

““Anti-child” Anti-child” movementmovement

Less parental Less parental supervision than ever supervision than ever

beforebefore

Little peer interaction Little peer interaction in childhoodin childhood

““Special” – eagerly Special” – eagerly anticipatedanticipated

Lowest parent to child Lowest parent to child ratio everratio ever

Universally protectedUniversally protected

ShelteredSheltered

Continued…Continued…

SILENTSILENT BOOMERBOOMER GEN XGEN X MILLENNIALMILLENNIAL

WorkWork Large increase in Large increase in number of people in number of people in “helping professionals” “helping professionals” in 1960sin 1960s

WorkaholicsWorkaholics

Career focusedCareer focused

First to seek work/life First to seek work/life balancebalance

Not constrained by Not constrained by time and/or placetime and/or place

3 out of 4 work more 3 out of 4 work more than 31 hours per weekthan 31 hours per week

More discretionary More discretionary income than any income than any previous groupprevious group

Significant Life Significant Life EventsEvents

DepressionDepression

Sexual revolution Sexual revolution occurred while this occurred while this generation was in mid-generation was in mid-lifelife

Korean WarKorean War

VietnamVietnam

Sexual revolutionSexual revolution

Kent StateKent State

Gulf WarGulf War

Berlin Wall comes Berlin Wall comes downdown

Challenger explosionChallenger explosion

ColumbineColumbine

September 11September 11

Second Gulf WarSecond Gulf War

NotesNotes Generation of Generation of jealousies and role jealousies and role reversalsreversals

Focused on previous Focused on previous generation while young generation while young and subsequent and subsequent generation in adulthoodgeneration in adulthood

Intense attention Intense attention focused on this group focused on this group for the entire Boomer for the entire Boomer lifespanlifespan

Self-aware and self-Self-aware and self-centered (largest centered (largest number of self-help number of self-help books)books)

Mired in an age of Mired in an age of deathdeath

*AIDS*AIDS

*Homicides drug-*Homicides drug-related deaths increasedrelated deaths increased

*Suicidal (at a near *Suicidal (at a near record rate of almost record rate of almost 5000/year in mid 5000/year in mid 1980s)1980s)

OptimisticOptimistic

ConventionalConventional

Racially diverseRacially diverse

PressuredPressured

Demography of the FutureDemography of the Future

Paperless Learning/Work EnvironmentPaperless Learning/Work EnvironmentPsychologically people are tactilePsychologically people are tactileLike to hold, handle, open somethingLike to hold, handle, open something

Telecommuting/Virtual ClassroomsTelecommuting/Virtual ClassroomsSocial need to work in groupsSocial need to work in groupsMeet physicallyMeet physicallyInteractInteract

COHESIVENESSCOHESIVENESS

Intergenerational Conflict – hinders plans, Intergenerational Conflict – hinders plans, products, and ideas from moving forwardproducts, and ideas from moving forward

Detrimental Effects – communication, Detrimental Effects – communication, working relationships, underminingworking relationships, undermining

Cohesiveness Continued…Cohesiveness Continued…Team Conflicts –Team Conflicts –

Boomers – view Gen Xers as too impatient, throw out tried Boomers – view Gen Xers as too impatient, throw out tried and true and true

Gen Xers – view Boomers as inflexible to change/ say the right Gen Xers – view Boomers as inflexible to change/ say the right thing to the right person thing to the right person

Silents – view Boomers as self-absorbed, share too much Silents – view Boomers as self-absorbed, share too much information information

Boomers – view Traditionalists as rigid/dictatorialBoomers – view Traditionalists as rigid/dictatorial

Gen Xers – view Millennials as too spoiled/self-absorbedGen Xers – view Millennials as too spoiled/self-absorbed

Millennials – view Gen Xers as cynical/negativeMillennials – view Gen Xers as cynical/negative

““A team that allows choices and openly A team that allows choices and openly explores ideas, and whose members explores ideas, and whose members

value learning, will better accommodate value learning, will better accommodate the needs and values of members of the needs and values of members of

different generations.”different generations.”

Constance Patterson, PhDConstance Patterson, PhD

Is this the image that came to mind?Is this the image that came to mind?

Wired/WirelessWired/Wireless

Digital NativesDigital Natives Cell PhonesCell Phones MP3 Players/iPods (iPhone)MP3 Players/iPods (iPhone) TextingTexting Web SurfingWeb Surfing MySpace/FacebookMySpace/Facebook Finger on the pulse of the WorldFinger on the pulse of the World Right Here/Right Now GenerationRight Here/Right Now Generation

Digitally LiterateDigitally Literate

Intuitive Intuitive Although, understanding technology and source Although, understanding technology and source

quality may be shallowquality may be shallow More visually literate than any other generationMore visually literate than any other generation They move between real and the virtual They move between real and the virtual

instantaneouslyinstantaneously Literacy goes well beyond text, because of visual Literacy goes well beyond text, because of visual

media media Text literacy may be less well developedText literacy may be less well developed

10 Attributes of an Information-Age 10 Attributes of an Information-Age Mindset (J. Frand)Mindset (J. Frand)

Computers are not technologyComputers are not technology The Internet is better than TVThe Internet is better than TV Reality is no longer realReality is no longer real Doing is more important than knowingDoing is more important than knowing Learning more closely resembles Nintendo than logicLearning more closely resembles Nintendo than logic Multitasking is a way of lifeMultitasking is a way of life Typing is preferred to handwritingTyping is preferred to handwriting Staying connected is essentialStaying connected is essential There is zero tolerance for delaysThere is zero tolerance for delays Consumer and Creator are blurringConsumer and Creator are blurring

The Millennial WorldThe Millennial World

Average teenager spends more than 72 hours a Average teenager spends more than 72 hours a week using electronic media (2006)week using electronic media (2006)

Pew Internet research – nearly 80% of 28 and Pew Internet research – nearly 80% of 28 and younger regularly read blogs/ 30% of 29-40younger regularly read blogs/ 30% of 29-40

40% of teenagers and 20-somethings have 40% of teenagers and 20-somethings have created their own blogscreated their own blogs

A cult of groupthink, - collaborative and team-A cult of groupthink, - collaborative and team-orientedoriented

Learning CharacteristicsLearning Characteristics

Teamwork ActivitiesTeamwork Activities Cooperative GroupingCooperative Grouping Experiential ActivitiesExperiential Activities StructureStructure Use of Technology (SIDs, TM)Use of Technology (SIDs, TM) Email/Instant Messaging are Natural Email/Instant Messaging are Natural

Communication and Socialization Communication and Socialization MechanismsMechanisms

ExperientialExperiential

Learn by doing rather than by being told what Learn by doing rather than by being told what to doto do

Learn through discovery, exploring for Learn through discovery, exploring for themselves or with peersthemselves or with peers

Learning in this manner enables them to retain Learning in this manner enables them to retain the information and use it in creative and the information and use it in creative and meaningful waysmeaningful ways

Suggestions for SuccessSuggestions for Success

Tell the Truth Tell the Truth Let Them Know: What They Do MattersLet Them Know: What They Do Matters Explain the “Why” and What Is In It For ThemExplain the “Why” and What Is In It For Them Learn Their Language, Communicate In Their TermsLearn Their Language, Communicate In Their Terms Make the Competitive Environment FunMake the Competitive Environment Fun Model The “Way”Model The “Way” Build RelationshipsBuild Relationships Challenge To Find Technological Solutions To Challenge To Find Technological Solutions To

Everyday IssuesEveryday Issues

Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About

EmployeeEvolution.com – EmployeeEvolution.com –

Created by 20-somethings Paugh and Created by 20-somethings Paugh and Healy- “create an anonymous dialogue Healy- “create an anonymous dialogue between our generation and the corporations between our generation and the corporations struggling to understand our attitudes about struggling to understand our attitudes about work.”work.”

In “Where Should a Millennial In “Where Should a Millennial Draw the Line?”Draw the Line?”

Paugh writes, Paugh writes,

Part of being an entry-level worker is just Part of being an entry-level worker is just waiting for something big to come your way. In the waiting for something big to come your way. In the meantime, you bite your lip and act busy. Preceding meantime, you bite your lip and act busy. Preceding generations say it’s normal. I say it sucks. If what our generations say it’s normal. I say it sucks. If what our elders say is true, we’re supposed to keep on truckin’. elders say is true, we’re supposed to keep on truckin’. Eventually we’ll have some real responsibility and Eventually we’ll have some real responsibility and the downtime will be nothing less than treasured. The the downtime will be nothing less than treasured. The problem is, I don’t live my life on blind faith. problem is, I don’t live my life on blind faith.

Some NegativesSome Negatives

Multi-taskingMulti-tasking Poor Communication Skills (writing)Poor Communication Skills (writing) Oral CommunicationOral Communication Math SkillsMath Skills Mass StimulationMass Stimulation Lack of Critical Thinking/Problem Solving as an Lack of Critical Thinking/Problem Solving as an

individualindividual Plagiarism/Cheating (turnitin.com)Plagiarism/Cheating (turnitin.com) Problem Discerning Truth (Wikipedia)Problem Discerning Truth (Wikipedia)

StrategiesStrategies

Awareness of new TechnologyAwareness of new Technology Different methods of reporting information: Different methods of reporting information:

podcasts, vodcasts, blackboard, forums, use of podcasts, vodcasts, blackboard, forums, use of PowerPoint, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), PowerPoint, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), LCS (Lecture Capture System), StudentsLCS (Lecture Capture System), Students

Setting ParametersSetting Parameters WebsitesWebsites RecruitingRecruiting

Strategies ContinuedStrategies Continued

Challenge them – They care about what Challenge them – They care about what matters and use responsibility as a reward.matters and use responsibility as a reward.

Ask them their opinion – Collaboration and Ask them their opinion – Collaboration and being part of a team is important to them.being part of a team is important to them.

Find them a mentor – They have great respect Find them a mentor – They have great respect for Silents.for Silents.

Provide timely (worthwhile) feedback – At the Provide timely (worthwhile) feedback – At the touch of a button.touch of a button.

25 year old Chris Hales25 year old Chris HalesCEO of Anti-Matter MediaCEO of Anti-Matter Media

Two things represent my generation. Technology Two things represent my generation. Technology and the “Do-It-Yourself” aesthetic. With the and the “Do-It-Yourself” aesthetic. With the increase in technology, opportunities for increase in technology, opportunities for networking with others seem endless, enabling networking with others seem endless, enabling us to turn out more authors, films, record us to turn out more authors, films, record labels and artists than previous generations. labels and artists than previous generations. When you put the two together you have the When you put the two together you have the recipe for a generation that is willing to go out recipe for a generation that is willing to go out and make stuff happen on their own.and make stuff happen on their own.

Time for YouTime for You

QuestionsQuestions

andand

AnswersAnswers

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